An early comer to Argyle, William Stark was
a well- educated Scot who
immigrated to Canada about 1878, and worked for the C.P.R. in Montreal
for a short time. In 1879, he was attracted to the prairies and
homesteaded NE 5-4-14, pre-empted SE 5-4-14 and purchased 6-4-14. Once
settled on his farm, he built a home and helped others to immigrate to
Canada.
A bachelor, William, was always a welcome visitor. Because of his great
store of stories and jokes he was often in demand as a chairperson for
local concerts.
When the R.M. of Argyle was formed, William became the first
secretary-treasurer, establishing the municipal office in his home. He
served from February, 1882 to February 1889. He was renowned for his
beautiful penmanship and was often asked to write records in family
Bibles and to do correspondence for less well-educated neighbours.
The Baldur Gazette in 1899 reported that:
“(upon the formation of Argyle Municipality)… Mr. Wm. Stark was
appointed clerk and treasurer, a position which he held for several
years and by his uniform kindness and obliging manner won golden
opinions from the ratepayers of Argyle.”
When, after 25 years on the prairies, William returned to his relatives
in Scotland. He was sorely missed by his Canadian neighbours.
Adapted from Come into our Heritage, page
654.
The Settlement Experience : William Stark
In 1881 William Stark travelled by ox-car from Emerson the to what is
now the Rosehill District. Settlers squatted on the land
they occupied and when it became necessary to lay claim they were
obliged to file at Deloraine 90 kilometres away or Morden, 105 km
distant and had to journey 120 km to Emerson with a grist.
They endured many hardships and privations, battling with cold in
winter, terrible heat and mosquitoes and slow labour in summer and
protecting their stock from beasts of prey the wolf and bear.
The first in the region was that of Wm. Stark 6-4-14 and the first
church services were held there conducted by Rev. Hoskins, Methodist,
and Rev Currence, Presbyterian, were carried on until 1899 when the
Roseberry School accommodated the gatherings.
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